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Find similar grantsFood First Capacity Grants is sponsored by Maryland Food Bank. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.
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Food First Capacity Grant - Maryland Food Bank Grants Maryland Food Bank Grants Food First Capacity Grant Opens Nov 3 2025 09:00 AM (EST) Deadline May 1 2026 05:00 PM (EST) Capacity Building Grant Program Overview Strengthening capacity and capabilities.
For the eighth consecutive year, Maryland Food Bank (MFB) will offer Food First Capacity Grants to its eligible partners (Network Partners, Higher Ed Partners, Pantry on the Go partners, partners of our Redistribution Organizations, or RDOs themselves).
MFB is committed to helping support our partners to get to the next level of operational, financial, programmatic, and organizational maturity so they can more effectively and efficiently advance our shared mission of a strong and sustainable food system for all Marylanders.
Expanding capacity and capabilities Application evaluation factors In previous years, most grants were awarded for capacity expansions like refrigeration or shelving, or small capital improvements.
In FY26, Food First Capacity Building Grants will be evaluated primarily on how well the proposed project outcomes align with key indicators that define effective partnership: our partner RECIPE ( R esponsive, E nduring, C enters Neighbors, I nnovative, P resent, and E ngaged): Responsive outcomes could include permanent expansions that increase capacity to distribute food.
Enduring outcomes could include building fundraising capacity, organizational succession and longevity planning, improved volunteer retention and recruitment efforts, diversifying food sources, integrating technologies to improve administrative efficiencies, and/or updating roles or organizational structure.
Centers Neighbors outcomes could include establishing or expanding pantry choice options, listening sessions with neighbors, improving pantry accessibility, introducing or expanding wraparound services. Present outcomes could include community collaboration efforts, proposals that involve resource sharing, or other measures to increase opportunities for connections with neighbors.
Engaged Engagement with MFB (or your RDO if you are a downstream partner) is a part of our grant evaluation factors. This engagement can look like attending regional gatherings, being responsive to requests for feedback, and/or reliable communication with the Maryland Food Bank. Our primary goal is a strong partnership, and we know that these connection points are essential in achieving that goal.
MFB is looking for ways that the funds can strengthen your organization’s alignment with this RECIPE for partnership.
MFB will base eligibility for this competitive grant opportunity on the following criteria: Active Network Partners, RDOs, Higher Ed Partners, or partners of our Redistribution Organizations (RDOs) in good standing (i.e., strong working relationship, current partner agreement on file, positive history, no compliance issues) with the Maryland Food Bank or the RDO, as applicable.
New partners must be fully onboarded to be eligible for a Capacity Grant. All Maryland Food Bank or RDO accounts are current (e.g., no past due balances). Organizations that have not received a Capacity Building Grant from the Maryland Food Bank in the past year will have priority.
If you have received a grant in FY25, you are welcome to apply but cannot request funding for the same project. If you previously received a capacity grant from MFB, you must submit a final report on time for your previous grant award to be eligible for a new grant.
While MFB will still review and consider applications that are for more traditional capacity building, we encourage partners to consider submitting proposals that support their long-term sustainability and center the neighbor experience, in alignment with the partnership RECIPE outlined above. Funds may include, but are not limited to, the following expenses: Staff costs for fundraising initiatives and/or community outreach efforts.
Conducting listening sessions on neighbor needs and adjusting pantry hours, improving accessibility, and adding services to improve neighbor experience. Website development to improve fundraising and community information sharing. Procurement of equipment or services that will be used in collaboration with other service organizations or pantries.
Funding for strategic and budget planning initiatives. Staff or board member skill-building sessions, such as diversity and equity training or initiatives. Expansion of space to improve neighbor choice, including repairs that return unusable space to usability (e.g. replacing a broken air conditioner).
ADA needs and/or safety improvements to better neighbor experience Introducing trauma informed and privacy practices to pantry operations. Design services for marketing materials for awareness of services and volunteers, including translation services. Funding may NOT be requested for: Food purchases (from MFB or other sources) Previously purchased equipment or completed projects.
Content of grant application Impact and Outcomes. Describe how the grant award would help you better serve your community and decrease food insecurity. Long-term capacity building.
Applicants will be required to share how this proposal fits into the long-term plan for the program. Reporting: Grantees will be required to submit a brief final report before the end of the grant period. Grantees will be asked to account for any costs over $2,000 (save your receipt).
Financial Information. Applicants must provide a budget and budget narrative. Supplemental Materials.
W-9. Awards will be between $500 - $7,000 per grantee. Partners can receive only one Capacity award per fiscal year.
Submission Format and Key Dates Fall Application deadline October 31, 2025 Grant notification December 5, 2025 Report deadline January 8, 2027 Winter Application deadline February 27, 2026 Grant notification April 3, 2026 Report deadline May 7, 2027 Spring Application deadline May 1, 2026 Grant notification June 5, 2026 Report deadline July 9, 2027 Food First Capacity Grant Capacity Building Grant Program Overview Strengthening capacity and capabilities.
For the eighth consecutive year, Maryland Food Bank (MFB) will offer Food First Capacity Grants to its eligible partners (Network Partners, Higher Ed Partners, Pantry on the Go partners, partners of our Redistribution Organizations, or RDOs themselves).
MFB is committed to helping support our partners to get to the next level of operational, financial, programmatic, and organizational maturity so they can more effectively and efficiently advance our shared mission of a strong and sustainable food system for all Marylanders.
Expanding capacity and capabilities Application evaluation factors In previous years, most grants were awarded for capacity expansions like refrigeration or shelving, or small capital improvements.
In FY26, Food First Capacity Building Grants will be evaluated primarily on how well the proposed project outcomes align with key indicators that define effective partnership: our partner RECIPE ( R esponsive, E nduring, C enters Neighbors, I nnovative, P resent, and E ngaged): Responsive outcomes could include permanent expansions that increase capacity to distribute food.
Enduring outcomes could include building fundraising capacity, organizational succession and longevity planning, improved volunteer retention and recruitment efforts, diversifying food sources, integrating technologies to improve administrative efficiencies, and/or updating roles or organizational structure.
Centers Neighbors outcomes could include establishing or expanding pantry choice options, listening sessions with neighbors, improving pantry accessibility, introducing or expanding wraparound services. Present outcomes could include community collaboration efforts, proposals that involve resource sharing, or other measures to increase opportunities for connections with neighbors.
Engaged Engagement with MFB (or your RDO if you are a downstream partner) is a part of our grant evaluation factors. This engagement can look like attending regional gatherings, being responsive to requests for feedback, and/or reliable communication with the Maryland Food Bank. Our primary goal is a strong partnership, and we know that these connection points are essential in achieving that goal.
MFB is looking for ways that the funds can strengthen your organization’s alignment with this RECIPE for partnership.
MFB will base eligibility for this competitive grant opportunity on the following criteria: Active Network Partners, RDOs, Higher Ed Partners, or partners of our Redistribution Organizations (RDOs) in good standing (i.e., strong working relationship, current partner agreement on file, positive history, no compliance issues) with the Maryland Food Bank or the RDO, as applicable.
New partners must be fully onboarded to be eligible for a Capacity Grant. All Maryland Food Bank or RDO accounts are current (e.g., no past due balances). Organizations that have not received a Capacity Building Grant from the Maryland Food Bank in the past year will have priority.
If you have received a grant in FY25, you are welcome to apply but cannot request funding for the same project. If you previously received a capacity grant from MFB, you must submit a final report on time for your previous grant award to be eligible for a new grant.
While MFB will still review and consider applications that are for more traditional capacity building, we encourage partners to consider submitting proposals that support their long-term sustainability and center the neighbor experience, in alignment with the partnership RECIPE outlined above. Funds may include, but are not limited to, the following expenses: Staff costs for fundraising initiatives and/or community outreach efforts.
Conducting listening sessions on neighbor needs and adjusting pantry hours, improving accessibility, and adding services to improve neighbor experience. Website development to improve fundraising and community information sharing. Procurement of equipment or services that will be used in collaboration with other service organizations or pantries.
Funding for strategic and budget planning initiatives. Staff or board member skill-building sessions, such as diversity and equity training or initiatives. Expansion of space to improve neighbor choice, including repairs that return unusable space to usability (e.g. replacing a broken air conditioner).
ADA needs and/or safety improvements to better neighbor experience Introducing trauma informed and privacy practices to pantry operations. Design services for marketing materials for awareness of services and volunteers, including translation services. Funding may NOT be requested for: Food purchases (from MFB or other sources) Previously purchased equipment or completed projects.
Content of grant application Impact and Outcomes. Describe how the grant award would help you better serve your community and decrease food insecurity. Long-term capacity building.
Applicants will be required to share how this proposal fits into the long-term plan for the program. Reporting: Grantees will be required to submit a brief final report before the end of the grant period. Grantees will be asked to account for any costs over $2,000 (save your receipt).
Financial Information. Applicants must provide a budget and budget narrative. Supplemental Materials.
W-9. Awards will be between $500 - $7,000 per grantee. Partners can receive only one Capacity award per fiscal year.
Submission Format and Key Dates Fall Application deadline October 31, 2025 Grant notification December 5, 2025 Report deadline January 8, 2027 Winter Application deadline February 27, 2026 Grant notification April 3, 2026 Report deadline May 7, 2027 Spring Application deadline May 1, 2026 Grant notification June 5, 2026 Report deadline July 9, 2027 Nov 3 2025 09:00 AM (EST) May 1 2026 05:00 PM (EST)
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
Describe the impact and outcomes of the proposed project.
Describe your long-term capacity-building plan.
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Eligible Maryland Food Bank partners (Network Partners, Higher Ed Partners, Pantry on the Go partners, partners of Redistribution Organizations, or RDOs). Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $500 - $7,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 1, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.